Henry Okah Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison over the 2010 Independence Day Bombing

A South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has sentenced the convicted Nigerian terrorist and leader of the Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) Henry Okah to 24 years in prison.

This is coming after he was convicted on 13 counts related to terrorism for masterminding the  October 1, 2010 twin bomb blasts that killed 12 people Abuja. The blast also injured 36 others.

Eye Witness News, a South African portal reports that he was sentenced to 12 years for each for the two car bombs set off. Judge Neels Classen said the state had proven Okah’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt adding that Nigerian national’s failure to testify meant the evidence against him remained uncontested.

On January 21, the court found Okah guilty on 13 counts of terrorism, including engaging in terrorist activities, conspiracy to engage in terrorist activities, and delivering, placing, and detonating an explosive device.

He was also sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for the threats made to the South African government after his arrest in October 2010. The 13 years would run concurrently with the 24 years.